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Question the Answer's Metal Sugar Skull Pendant

First Collection of Metal Sugar Skull Pendants. Handmade Jewelry Company based in Memphis, TN.

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Question the Answer's Metal Sugar Skull Pendant

Question the Answer's Metal Sugar Skull Pendant

Question the Answer's Metal Sugar Skull Pendant

Question the Answer's Metal Sugar Skull Pendant

Question the Answer's Metal Sugar Skull Pendant

First Collection of Metal Sugar Skull Pendants. Handmade Jewelry Company based in Memphis, TN.

First Collection of Metal Sugar Skull Pendants. Handmade Jewelry Company based in Memphis, TN.

First Collection of Metal Sugar Skull Pendants. Handmade Jewelry Company based in Memphis, TN.

First Collection of Metal Sugar Skull Pendants. Handmade Jewelry Company based in Memphis, TN.

Lauren Carlson
Lauren Carlson
Lauren Carlson
Lauren Carlson
1 Campaign |
Memphis, United States
$5,479 USD 64 backers
61% of $8,950 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal

Question the Answer is a jewelry collection turned small business in 2014. I am the owner, designer and maker behind Question the Answer and I am so excited to take this next step in the evolution of my business. 

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE FORM:

    I graduated from the University of Memphis with a BFA in Studio Arts in 2010. My thesis addressed materialism and the idea of inanimate desire behind every frivolous purchase within the world of fashion. I chose to depict this idea by painting a luxuriously dressed life-size skeleton with bright colors and sculptural features. 
    About a year later in 2011, I decided to downsize the image into a wooden pendant, beginning my path into jewelry making. For about two years I perfected my design, changing the height and width of the skull and eventually changing the material from scrap wood into maple. Finally in late 2013, I had committed to the most refined version of my original design. It was then that I realized, I wanted to depict this form in metal.

   


PRODUCING WORK IN METAL:

    Since my degree and  trade had mostly been in painting in two dimensions, I decided to take some continuing education classes in small metals and began to learn to solder and forge. I took three of the classes locally throughout 2013 and 2014, and eventually I had learned most of the basic techniques and started building forms to enhance my hand painted sugar skulls.

 

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    Throughout this process, my designs began to wander away from the sugar skull and my own style as an artist became more polished. I started creating minimal forms that I adored and eventually I produced enough work for two separate collections. 

   

  

    I continued to refine my work while still making the sugar skull pendants my niche customers loved. 

    In March 2015,  I traveled to the CreativeSide Jewelry Academy in Austin, TX in an effort to increase my education in small metals and more specifically, jewelry. There I learned several new settings, including the flush setting, channel setting and a couple of different prong settings. With these new techniques and with the knowledge of my new medium, I have returned to that pivoting and decisive moment. I will cast my sugar skull design in various semiprecious metals and set a flush gemstone into the "minds eye" of the design.


  


WHAT I NEED & WHAT YOU GET:

If I am able to meet my entire goal I will be able to acquire all of these resources to quicken my production process and ensure a quality product. New tools & equipment are critical to the growth of Question the Answer. Since I already purchased a Neycraft SpinCaster & a Neycraft Kiln from an estate sale back in October 2014,  my costs will be significantly lower.

  • $370 for a GRS BenchMate Stone-Setting Holder & Kit. This makes it much easier for me to hold the piece and set a stone without harming the work.
  • $500 to build a vent above my kiln. The kiln burns out the wax from the investment mold and to keep my studio ventilated, I'll need to build a vent-a-hood above the kiln.
  • $500 for a larger tumbler machine. This machine cleans the pieces before they are ready to ship out, currently I have a VERY small one, these pieces require much more space. 
  • $545 for a wax injection machine. This machine allows me to make one mold from rubber and inject wax into it, allowing for a quicker production process and a quality cast every time.
  • $170 for a slide & lock adjustment bracket. This contraption is built for the BenchMate Stone-Setting Holder and will allow it to be moved to the correct angle and height on my jewelers bench so that I may set stones comfortably and without harming the piece.
  • $170 for a BenchMate Vise. This vise tilts & rotates on two axes to hold pieces perfectly angled for stone-setting & will solve many holding problems. Remember, jewelry is tiny and hard to hold stable to set a stone into.
  • $225 for a steam cleaning machine. This machine will clean the pieces effectively so that every piece arrives perfect right to your doorstep.
  • $1600 for a plating system. This will allow my work to have the highest in craftsmanship by coating the finished work in yellow gold or rose gold. This way none of the plating is compromised while sanding and finishing the piece.
  • $300 for plating solution. As you might have guessed, even the solutions to plate metals are expensive. I mean it's basically liquid gold.
  • $520 for a large cast iron bench anvil & base. Believe it or not, I've been working without one for quite some time.
  • $200 for Other small production costs for casting like investment & a scale.
  • $600 for tools such as a cutting tool, a mandrel & flat stock professional pliers. These tools will help my production process immensely & will allow me to work comfortably so that I may produce more pieces in less time.
  • $2000 for initial inventory material costs. This means the actual metals, the chains they are hung on and findings for the actual pieces.
  • $750 for product packaging materials including my printed boxes, hang tags for the pieces & shipping supplies.
  • $500 for other startup expenses including unforeseen construction costs.


Of course if the unthinkable happens and I'm not able to meet my entire goal, I will reconsider my most necessary needs & assess my options. This may mean changing the quality of metals I will cast in, to lower my material costs. This action would only be made in the most extreme conditions as I am very committed to the design and the product details.


                                 

PERKS YO: WHAT YOU GET FOR HELPING!!!

Here are a Few of the AWESOME & Exclusive Indiegogo PERKS:

LIMITED EDITION Hand Written Thank You Card - $15.00

Your contribution means everything to me and I would like to personally thank you. This hand-written thank you will be on a limited edition card with the image of the rendered sugar skull and of course will be written and signed by me!

EARLY BIRD: Question the Answer Stack Ring Set (3 Rings) - $50.00

Available in sterling silver, yellow gold fill or rose gold fill- these stackers fit seamlessly into your everyday wardrobe & for a limited time will be discounted just for you & just in time for the HOLIDAYS! Available in sizes 3-10 (size 3 & 4 are made for midi-rings)

EARLY BIRD: Question the Answer Stack Ring WORKSHOP - $100.00 

This is the VERY FIRST- EXCLUSIVE ring workshop where I will teach you how to make your very own set of 3 stack rings in Sterling Silver, Yellow Gold Fill or Rose Gold Fill. Students will arrive at my studio and work for three hours with me to produce their very own stack ring set!!!! FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS OF MEMPHIS, TN ONLY 

             

STERLING SILVER STACK BANGLE - $88.00

This perk is for a sterling silver bangle in an 8 gauge size (Approximately 1/8" thick). This is a classic piece from the Eternal Curiosity Collection that is perfect to wear alone or stacked, with a t-shirt or a dress. Because everyone is a different size, I offer my bangles in a standard size and also a petite size. 
Standard: 2 7/8" in diameter
Petite: 2 1/2" in diameter


THE SKULLS: VARIOUS PRICES & METALS

When you contribute these amounts you will receive one of the first editions of the the Sugar Skull Pendants on a 28" chain with a semiprecious gemstone delivered right to your doorstep. Be the first to have it and invest now- your friends will be so jealous when they see you in this one of a kind piece made by hand in Memphis, TN.

Chain: 28" Size of Pendant: 1.5" x 1.75"


QUESTION THE ANSWER Brass Sugar Skull Pendant - $175.00

QUESTION THE ANSWER Yellow Gold Plated Sugar Skull Pendant - $275.00

QUESTION THE ANSWER Rose Gold Plated Sugar Skull Pendant - $275.00

QUESTION THE ANSWER Sterling Silver Sugar Skull Pendant - $375.00


THE IMPACT & TIMELINE:

This campaign is so important to my business's growth and to the evolution of this specific design. Your contribution means I will be able to complete a path I began five years ago, and will ultimately expand the product line Question the Answer is able to produce. 
Question the Answer is able to be a business because of the amazing support of my customers! Ya'll built this, now let's grow it together!

As a contributor, you're not only strengthening my work, you're expanding my reach and ability to make quality & unique collections. If you love handmade & supporting small businesses this piece will represent those values every time you wear it!


If you're curious how I will be spending my time until you receive your piece, here's a timeline...

             Mid-October 2015: FUNDS RECEIVED

             November 2015: INSTALL EQUIPMENT & HOLIDAY RUSH

             December 2015: HOLIDAY PERKS SHIPPED & PRODUCT SAMPLING

             January 2016: PRODUCT SAMPLING

             February - Mid April 2016: PRODUCTION of PIECES

             End of April 2016: PRODUCTS RECEIVED


RISKS & CHALLENGES:

Because of crowdfunding, I have this creative opportunity without enduring the limits of a financial risk. This allows me to present a product to my established community and introduce my business to a larger audience while growing my brand. 
Craftsmanship is extremely valuable to Question the Answer. Because of this, I would like to have as much time as possible to perfect my pendants and ensure their quality. These pendants will involve techniques that are brand new to me so they may require more time for testing than originally promised, which potentially could postpone the delivery date of your piece. If this occurs, you will be notified and guaranteed that when your handmade piece arrives it will certainly be worth the wait.
I assure you that I am able to overcome the hurdles related to this challenge. I have already changed mediums and built this business while doing so; I am confident that I will work through these potential problems to find the best solution. 

   


PRESS YA'LL:

Interested in seeing what kind of press Question the Answer has already received? CLICK HERE!


OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP:

MAKE SOME NOISE & SHOW SOME LOVE!!!

If you LOVE everything about this but you're unable to donate, you can still help a girl out!!!!

All you have to do is share this page on social media and you will have helped me immensely! Please POST & SHARE this campaign to get the word out on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram!

Join our mailing list to be updated on Question the Answer news & for web exclusives!!!

Website: questiontheanswer.com

Instagram: @questntheanswr

Facebook: facebook.com/questiontheanswer

Twitter: @questntheanswr

                        

Photos by Well Worn Co. | Zachary Gray | Annabella Charles | Sophorn Kuoy





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Choose your Perk

Emailed Gratitude Y'all!

$5 USD
I am so thankful for your support and because of that I would love to send an email thanking you personally for your contribution! Make sure to verify your email with Indiegogo so that I may contact you :)
Estimated Shipping
October 2015
2 claimed
Ships worldwide.

Gratitude Y'all!

$8 USD
I am so thankful for every bit of your donation and I want to show you my gratitude with this special acknowledgement!!! When you contribute this amount I will include you in a personal shout out on social media thanking you for your support!!! This is a big thank you in a very public way via Instagram, Twitter and Facebook!
Estimated Shipping
October 2015
0 claimed
Ships worldwide.

Hand-written Thank you Card

$15 USD
Your contribution means everything to me and I would like to personally thank you. This hand-written thank you will be on a limited edition card with the image of the rendered sugar skull and of course will be written and signed by me!
Estimated Shipping
December 2015
2 claimed
Ships worldwide.

DAINTY Hollow-Circle Stud Set!

$45 USD
This perk is for a set of yellow gold fill and sterling silver hollow circle studs. This means you'll receive one pair made of yellow gold & one pair of sterling silver, both with a DISCOUNTED price! Two pairs for one great price & your contribution helps me immensely! This stud set is the perfect gift for ANYONE this holiday season...OR keep one set for you and gift the other to your BESTIE! GUARANTEED delivery before the holidays!
Estimated Shipping
December 2015
12 out of 25 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

EARLY BIRD Discounted Ring Set

$50 USD
Do you LOVE stack rings? Well with this perk you will receive a set of three rings for a discounted price! Three rings usually cost close to $60, so you are receiving a significant discount! Available in sterling silver, yellow gold fill or rose gold fill- these stackers fit seamlessly into your everyday wardrobe and for a limited time will be discounted just for you! Available in sizes 3-10 (size 3 and 4 are made for midi-rings) GUARANTEED to arrive by the holidays!
Estimated Shipping
December 2015
12 out of 30 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

Sterling Silver Stack Bangle

$88 USD
With this perk you will receive a sterling silver bangle in an 8 gauge size (Approximately 1/8" thick). This is a classic piece from the Eternal Curiosity Collection that is perfect to wear alone or stacked, with a t-shirt or a dress. Because everyone is a different size, I offer my bangles in a standard size and also a petite size. Guaranteed to arrive by the holidays! Standard: 2 7/8" in diameter Petite: 2 1/2" in diameter
Estimated Shipping
December 2015
4 out of 30 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

EARLY BIRD Ring Workshop

$100 USD
LOCALS ONLY PLEASE!!! This EARLY BIRD perk will get you a ticket to the VERY FIRST- EXCLUSIVE ring workshop where I will teach you how to make your very own set of 3 stack rings in Sterling Silver, Yellow Gold Fill or Rose Gold Fill. Students will arrive at my studio and work for three hours with me to produce their very own stack ring set!!!! If you're the kind of person who loves to make things, this perk is for you!!!! Class Coordinated upon Purchase.
Estimated Shipping
December 2015
3 out of 10 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

Paper & Clay + Stack Rings!

$100 USD
With this perk you will receive a Paper and Clay Ring cone with 3 stack rings made just for you! Available in sterling silver, yellow gold and rose gold fill! Sizes 3-10. GUARANTEED delivery before the holidays! FREE SHIPPING in US! Message me for more information!
Estimated Shipping
November 2015
2 out of 3 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

Coffee with Me!

$125 USD
LOCALS ONLY PLEASE! If you're a Memphian and would love the opportunity to connect with me personally, then I would love to take you out for coffee to thank you personally and chat about fashion, design and small business. Think cappuccinos and lots o' charm.
Estimated Shipping
October 2015
1 out of 5 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

Open Studio Party!

$150 USD
LOCALS ONLY PLEASE! Come see the studio you helped build! With this perk, I will host you at my studio so that you may see all the hard work we did together! Mimosas and great conversation, PLUS an opportunity for me to thank you personally!
Estimated Shipping
February 2016
0 out of 10 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

Brass Sugar Skull Pendant

$175 USD
When you contribute this amount you will receive one of the first editions of the Brass Sugar Skull Pendant on a 28" chain with a semiprecious gemstone sent right to your doorstep. Be the first to have it and invest now- your friends will be so jealous when they see you in this one of a kind piece made by hand in Memphis, TN. Chain: 28" Size of Pendant: 1.5" x 1.75"
Estimated Shipping
April 2016
5 out of 20 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

Yellow Gold Sugar Skull

$275 USD
When you contribute this amount you will receive one of the first editions of the Yellow Gold Plated Sugar Skull Pendant on a 28" chain with a semiprecious gemstone sent right to your doorstep. Be the first to have it and invest now- your friends will be so jealous when they see you in this one of a kind piece made by hand in Memphis, TN. Chain: 28" Size of Pendant: 1.5" x 1.75"
Estimated Shipping
April 2016
0 out of 20 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

Rose Gold Sugar Skull

$275 USD
When you contribute this amount you will receive one of the first editions of the Rose Gold Plated Sugar Skull Pendant on a 28" chain with a semiprecious gemstone sent right to your doorstep. Be the first to have it and invest now- your friends will be so jealous when they see you in this one of a kind piece made by hand in Memphis, TN. Chain: 28" Size of Pendant: 1.5" x 1.75"
Estimated Shipping
April 2016
1 out of 20 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

Silver Sugar Skull Pendant

$375 USD
When you contribute this amount you will receive one of the first editions of the Sterling Silver Sugar Skull Pendant on a 28" chain with a semiprecious gemstone sent right to your doorstep. Be the first to have it and invest now- your friends will be so jealous when they see you in this one of a kind piece made by hand in Memphis, TN. Chain: 28" Size of Pendant: 1.5" x 1.75"
Estimated Shipping
April 2016
1 out of 20 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

Join Me on a Photo-shoot!

$500 USD
Do you love fashion? Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes on a fashion photo-shoot? With this perk, you will have the opportunity to accompany me on a photo-shoot of this new collection and you'll be the first to see it all go down!!! Snacks and Coffee will be provided by me!
Estimated Shipping
April 2016
0 out of 3 of claimed

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